Window frame structure



A Jan. 19, 1943. D. H. JOLNETTE 2,308,978

- WINDOW FRAME STRUCTURE` I Filed Aug. 5', 1940 v 2 sheets-sheer 1 Jan. 19, 1943. D. vH. JoLlvETTE .WINDQW FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE VINBG'W FRAM STRUCTURE Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 359,717

(Cl. 18d-75) claims.

This invention relatesV to Window frame construction of the type especially suitable for use in barns, sheds and other building structures, and wherein the frame is constructed in a manner to accommodate a sash in closed position, or for supporting the sash in an open position of adjustment for Ventilating the building. More particularly the present invention is directed to a sheet metal frame adapted to be fabricated in knocked-down form for compactness in storage or shipment and capable of being quickly and easily assembled in the field" at the place of use.

Knocked-down window frame constructions heretofore employed have all been formed of a plurality of individual units or pieces which required intertting and connection in the iields to form a frame. While such frames are frequently accompanied with suitable instruction sheets for the assembly of the many separate pieces, yet, to many people, to properly assemble the parts of such a window frame presented a major problem and required a substantial amount of time.

It is therefore one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a novel and simplified knocked-down type of sheet metal window frame which may be quickly and easily assembled in the iieldf Without requiring skill, by the making of relatively few simple connections of the parts.

Another object is to provide a novel knockeddown type of window construction which is characterized by the use of a single piece elongated main frame member having sash cooperating elements connected thereto in proper longitudinally spaced `apart relation, and wherein the main frame member is so formed that in the field it may be easily bent transversely at three longitudinally spaced planes to form a rectangular frame, the free or adjoining ends of which may be quickly and simply connected together for maintaining the bent main frame member, with the sash cooperating elements thereon, in frame formation.

A further object is to provide a novel knockeddown sheet metal Window frame structure of the character indicated wherein the sash cooperating elements thereof are pre-fabricated and permanently connected to an elongated single piece main frame member, and wherein said main frame member is preformed in a manner so that in the field it may be quickly and easily bent to forml a rectangular frame, the free ends of which may be readily connected by tongue and slot features for securing the structure in frame formation.

Still another object is to provide an improved sheet metal window frame structure which is characterized by certain novel features which eliects economy in material utilized and which reduces labory in handling of individual parts, as Well as in fabrication of the total structure.

A still further object is to provide a novel and simplified frame construction which is capable of being quickly assembled and mounted in a frame opening in a building -an-d wherein the elements employed for securing the frame inposition may also be utilized to further reinforce and rigidify said frame.y

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the fol-lowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an assembled sheet metal window frame structure embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is .a view partly in section and partly in elevation, taken substantially as indicated-at line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a .top plan View of the preassembled complete window frameV structure in knocked-down form for convenient storage or shipment;

FigureL 4 is a side elevationalv View of the knocked-down frame structure shown in Figure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views through the knocked-down frame structure, taken substantially as indicated at lines 5 5 and respectivelycn Figure 4, and t Figure 7 is a side elevation of the frame structure With parts broken away for condensing the view.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention as disclosed in the rdrawing-s, the Window frame structure is formed entirely of sheet metal and includes a single piece elongated main fra-me member designated generally at Iii, formed with a flat mounting flange I I, from one edge of which extends, at substantially right angl-es, an auxiliary flange I2. The upper marginal edge of the `auxiliary iange merges into a stop flange I4 which extends in a direction oppositel to and substantially parallel with the mounting ange Il, as clearly seen in Figure 5 of the drawings. Said stop ilange, for purposes as will hereinafter be described, has its outer marginal edge bent rearwardly upon itself, in spaced apart relation,

to form a channel or slot I5, terminating adjacent the upper edge of the auxiliary flange t2.

The mounting ange is severed transversely at three longitudinally spaced apart parallel planes, as indicated at I 6, and the stop flange I4 is formed with V-notches extending across the entire width thereof as indicated at II, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of the mounting ange, as indicated at I6. By virtue of this arrangement the auxiliary ange I2 may be transversely bent at longitudinally spaced apart planes, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of the mounting member and the notching of the stop flange, to form the main frame member Ill in a rectangular closed frame, composed of a top section Illa, side sections Ib and a bottom section Ic. The free ends of the main frame member are adapted to be connected by intertting tongue and slot features as will hereinafter be described.

The frame structure in its process of fabrication remains in elongated form as represented in Figure 3, and preferably remains in such form during the period of storage thereof, or shipment, and is formed in frame formation in the field at the time that it is desired for use.

Connected to each of the side sections lob is a wing member I8 which is of generally triangular form and slightly truncated at one end. Said wings are dimensioned and arranged so that when the main frame member I is formed as a frame, the wings project rearwardly from the mounting ange II and taper from the upper end downwardly adjacent the bottom section, as seen in Figure 1. One edge of the triangular wing is disposed adjacent the stop flange I4 of said side section and is formed with a ange portion extending at right angles to the main body portion of the wing. Said ange of the wing is snugly telescoped into the channel I of the stop ange where it is securely connected by means of riveting or spot-welding (not shown in detail in the drawings), but which may be understood to be generally similar to the connection to the stop ange, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The outer tapering edge of the wing is formed with an inwardly extending ange I9, so that when the structure is formed as a frame, flanges I9 extend toward each other. The function of said flanges I9 is to serve as a stop for limiting the outer fulcruming movement of a window sash adapted to be seated upon the bottom section of the frame.

The upper edge of each of the triangular wings is formed with a right angularly extending triangularly formed brace which, when the main frame member is bent in frame formation, is adapted to abut against the inner surface of the stop flange of the upper section Ia of the frame, for reinforcing and positioning said wings.

The upper or top frame section lila includes an elongated sheet metal member 22 having a flange 23 bent at substantially right angles thereto and snugly tted into the channel of the stop flange of said section as seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, with the mlain body of the member 22 extending parallel to and in substantially the same plane as the auxiliary ange I2 of said top section. The flange 23 may be rigidly received in the channel of the stop flange I4, as by riveting or spot-welding.

The bottom section Illc includes an elongated sheet metal member 25 substantially coextensive with the length of the section and is formed with a ange 26 extending at substantially right angles to the main body of the member 25, snugly fitted into the channel of the stop ange M and rigidly secured thereto by riveting or spot-welding. The

main body portion of the member 25 also lies substantially in the same planes and in parallel relationship to the auxiliary ange I 2 of said bottom section Ilc, as seen in Figure 6. |I`he other marginal edge of the member 25 terminates in a fiange 2 extending substantially parallel and in spaced apart relation to the Iiange 23 as seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, forming a socket or seat for the lower edge of a window sash,

which socket or seat serves as a fulcrum for the sash in any position of adjustment thereof The opposite ends of the flange 27 of the fulcrum member 25 are each provided with tongue extensions or lugs 28 which, when the main frame member It is bent in frame formation, are adapted to be inserted in slots 29 formed in the lower portion of each of the wings I8, as seen in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, and said tongue extensions or lugs are then bent closely adjacent the face of the wing for securing the structure in frame formation. To further assist in securing the structure in frame formation, one end of the auxiliary ange, as seen in Figure 4, is provided with an extension 3| adapted to be folded tightly against the auxiliary flange I2 of the bot` tom section ISC.

To further rigidify the wings I8 and to maintain the braces 2D in abutting relation against the stop flange of the top section Ia, I provide a tie bar 33 of angular cross section, one end of which is pivotally attached to one of the wings I8 by means of a rivet as indicated at 34 and the other end being attachable to the opposite wing by means of a bolt 35. In storage and as well as in shipment of the frame in knocked-down form, as represented in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the tie bar is permitted to rest upon the flange I9 of the wing member to which it is pivotally connected.

It is to be understood that the window sash adapted to be utilized in conjunction with this frame structure, may be of conventional type and when seated in the socket or fulcrum support formed by the member 25 of the bottom section, said sash may be disposed in closed position abutting against the stop flange I4 of the respective frame sections, or may be rocked about the fulcrum support to an inclined position with the edges of the sash abutting against the flanges I9 of said wings, for Ventilating the interior of the building. Any suitable form of latch or catch may be mounted on the top frame section engageable with the upper portion of the sash for holding it in closed position.

The sash may also be provided with a pair of projections of conventional form at opposite marginal edges for engaging in a pair of slots or apertures, designated I 9a, in the flanges I9 of said wings for supporting the sash at a desired elevated position of adjustment for obtaining draft Ventilation both above and below the sash. Y

It will be apparent that when the main frame member ID is bent in frame formation, gaps will be formed in the corners intermediate the ends of the respective mounting ange sections.

In order to complete the mounting ange when disposed in frame formation, I utilize generally flat rectangular plates 31 attached by rivets 3S to corresponding ends of each or the sections of the mounting flange II so that when the mounting flange is bent in frame formation, these plates fill the gaps created by the disposition of the two adjacent sections of the mounting ange in substantially right angular rela tion to each other. The opposite edges of said plates are adapted to be secured to the adjacent ends of the adjacent sections of the mounting flange by means of screws 39 which may be of a length for proper connection to the wall of a building in which the window frame is mounted, for securely holding the frame in position in the opening of the building.

These auxiliary plates have the further advantage of serving to further rigidify the frame in assembled relation when mounted in position.

It will be manifest that the metal Window frame structure embodying the present invention lends itself to manufacture by the useA of relatively simple machinery, requiring a minimum amount of metal and effecting a substantial saving in labor in the handling and assembling of parts. It is to be understood that the frame when completely fabricated is permitted to remain in a knocked-down form as represented in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, and therefore lends itself to convenient storage or shipment by nesting of a plurality of frame structures.

be quickly and easily assembled in frame formation merely by the -bending of the mainframe il and more particularly the auxiliary flange l2 in the three places above indicated, in alignment with the planes of severance of the main mounting flange and the stop flanges, and the free vends of the elongated main frame member may be disposed adjacent each other with the lugs or tongues 23 of the bottom section projecting into corresponding apertures 29 of the respective wing members i8, said lugs being quickly and easily bent over by any suitable form of tool, after which the tongue extension 3| of the auxiliary flange may likewise be bent to abut against the auxiliary flange of the bottom section as above mentioned to secure the structure in frame formation.

Although I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of substantial modification and rearrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, Wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise form herein shown and described, except as it may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A single piece elongated frame member for forming a knocked down unitary .window frame and formed with a relatively flat mounting flange, an auxiliary flange extending at substantially right angles thereto, and a sash stop flange extending from the upper edge of the auxiliary flange in a direction opposite and in a plane substantially parallel to said mounting flange, said mounting flange and stop flange being transversely severed at three longitudinally spaced planes, whereby said auxiliary flange may be transversely bent at spaced planes, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of said other flanges, to form a substantially rectangular closed frame, including top, bottom and side sections, means for securing the free end portions of certain of said sections together in such formed relation with the sections disposed in a substantially common plane, and an elongated sheet metal member of generally U-shape cross section rigidly attached to the stop flange of the bottom section in substantially parallel Moreover, it will be apparent that the i construction of the frame is such that it may relation thereto and providing a fulcrum for a window sash.

2. A single piece elongated frame'member for forming a knocked down unitary window frame and formed with a relatively flat mounting flange, an auxiliary flange extending at substantially right angles thereto, and a sash stop flange formed as a continuation of the auxiliary flange and extending from the upper edge of the latter in a direction opposite and in a plane substantially parallel to said mounting flange, said stop flange being formed of a double thickness of metal with one area folded upon the other inv close spaced-apart relation to form a channel, opening adjacent the upper edge of the auxiliary flange and, substantially coextensive with the length of said member, said mounting flange and stop flange being transversely severed at three longitudinally spaced planes, whereby said auxiliary flange may be transversely bent at spaced planes, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of said other flanges, to form a substantially closed frame, including top, bottom and side sections, means for securing the free end portions of certain of said sections 4together in such formed relationand an elongated sheet metal member of generally U-shape cross section, extending parallel to and being substantially coextensive with the bottom section, and having one leg portion extending into and secured in said channel of the corresponding portion of the stop flange, to provide a fulcrum for avwindow sash.

3. A single piece elongated frame member for forming a knocked down unitary window frame and formed with a relatively flat mounting flange, an auxiliary flange extending at substantially right angles thereto, and a sash stop flange formed as a continuation of the auxiliary flange and extending from the upper edge of the latter in a direction opposite and in a plane substantially parallel to said mounting flange, said stop flange being formed of a double thickness of metal with one area folded upon the other in close spaced apart relation to form a channel, opening adjacent the upper edge of the auxiliary flange and, substantially coextensive with the length of said member, said mounting flange and stop flange being transversely severed at three longitudinally spaced planes, whereby said auxiliary flange may be transversely bent at spaced planes, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of said other flanges, to form a substantially closed frame, including top, bottom and side sections, means for securing the free end portions of certain of said sections together in such formed relation, an elongated sheet metal member having a flange telescoped into and secured in the channel of the stop flange of the bottom section and formed to provide a fulcrum for a window sash, and separate wing members, of generally triangular form, each wing being formed with a flange telescoped into and secured in the channel of the stop flange of the respective side sections to dispose said wings substantially perpendicularly to said side sections, said Wing members each being formed with an inwardly extending flange at its outer edge to provide stop means for limiting the fulcruming movement of the sash.

e. A single piece elongated frame member for forming a knocked dov/n unitary window frame and formed with a relatively flat mounting flange, an auxiliary flange extending at substantially right angles thereto, and a sash stop flange extending from the upper edge of the auxiliary lia-nge in a direction opposite and in a plane substantially parallel to said mounting flange, said mounting ange and stop flange being transversely severed at three longitudinally spaced planes, whereby said auxiliary ange may be transversely bent at spaced planes, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of said other flanges, to form a substantially rectangular closed frame, including top, bottom and side sections, means for securing the .free end portions of certain of said sections together in such formed relation with the sections disposed in a substantially common plane, said bottom section having means thereon forming a ulcrum for a window sash, and a Wing on each of said side sections for limiting the fulcruming movement of the sash, said Wings being of generally triangular form With one edge attached to the side sections, and projecting perpendicularly to the mounting anges, said Wings tapering downwardly from adjacent the top section to adjacent the bottom section, the upper edge of each of said Wings being provided with inturned integral gussets of generally triangular form, having the bases thereof positioned to abut against the adjacent surface of the stop flange of the top section.

5. A single piece elongated frame member for forming a knocked down unitary Window frame and formed with a relatively nat mounting flange, an auxiliary flange extending at substantially right angles thereto, and a sash stop flange extending from the upper edge of the auxiliary ange in a direction opposite and in a plane substantially parallel to said mounting flange, said mounting iiange and stop ange being transversely severed at three longitudinally spaced planes, whereby said auxiliary flange may be transversely bent at spaced planes, substantially in alignment with the planes of severance of said other flange, to form a substantially rectangular closed frame, including top, bottom and side sections, means for securing the free end portions of certain of said sections together in such formed relation with the sections disposed in a substantially common plane, said bottom section having means thereon forming a fulcrum for a window sash, a wing on each of said side sections for limiting the fulcruming movement of the sash, said wings being of generally triangular form with one edge attached to the side sections, and projecting perpendicularly to the mounting anges, said wings tapering downwardly from adjacent the top section to adjacent the bottom section, the upper edge of each of said wings being provided with inturned integral gussets of generally triangular form, having the bases thereof positioned to abut against the adjacent surface of the stop flange of the top section, and a tie member for connecting the upper outer portions of said Wings and tending to maintain the bases of said gussets in abutting relation to said stop ange.

DAVID H. JOLIVETTE. 

